Photo gallery: Tears of pain and joy on Tour’s cobbled stage 9

Richie Porte (BMC) was the biggest casualty. Much like his then-teammate Chris Froome on stage 5 of the 2014 Tour de France, Porte crashed out before he even reached the cobblestones on yesterday’s stage 9 of the 2018 Tour. Stage 9 — the same stage Porte crashed out last year, too. Surely his bad luck at the Grand Tours must have run out by now?

Besides Porte’s withdrawal, the GC race wasn’t as affected by the long-awaited Roubaix stage as many expected. Sure, Rigo Uran dropped 90 seconds after a crash, and many other contenders — Chris Froome, Mikel Landa and Jakob Fuglsang — hit the deck as well. And sure, Romain Bardet had five mechanicals. In all though, it could have been a lot worse.

Now that the dust has settled, the riders of the Tour can enjoy a well-earned rest day. They’ll be back at it before too long though, and in the Alps no less. The race is just getting started.

Until then, feast your eyes on the following images from a dusty and dramatic stage 9 of the 2018 Tour. They come to you courtesy of Jered & Ashley Gruber, Kristof Ramon and Cor Vos.

Barely 10km into the race, Porte came down and immediately grabbed his shoulder.

It’s hard not to feel for Porte, who crashed out of last year’s Tour and had an untimely puncture in 2016 that arguably cost him a podium finish.

Tour de France or Paris-Roubaix?

Many teams had dozens of helpers out on course, making sure riders could get a spare wheel if required.

Tim Declercq was one of many riders to fall on the day.

Nairo Quintana rode well to finish in 24th place, on the same time as most of the GC contenders.

Without Porte to ride for, BMC will likely go into stage-hunting mode later in the race.

Mark Cavendish has had a Tour to forget so far, with eighth on stage 8 being his best result so far. He finished 52nd into Roubaix.

Alejandro Valverde rode strongly for 18th place and is among the highest-placed GC contenders so far.

After Rigo Uran crashed, his EF Education First-Drapac teammates rallied to help him limit his losses.

Michael Valgren took a nasty spill.

So too Tejay van Garderen who might have had the chance to ride for GC in Porte’s absence but instead finds himself six minutes off the lead.

The day before stage 9, De Gendt wrote on Twitter “I can’t verbally explain how much i don’t want to do the stage of tomorrow.” He ended up getting in the break.

Romain Bardet chases back on after one of five mechanicals.

Geraint Thomas sits second overall, 43 seconds behind Van Avermaet. He’s likely to move into yellow at some point in the days ahead.

Froome got through stage 9 largely unscathed (despite a minor crash) but is still almost a minute behind his Welsh teammate Thomas. How will Sky play their cards from here?

Tom Dumoulin tried his hand late, but to no avail.

Likewise 2018 Paris-Roubaix winner Peter Sagan.

Breakaway rider Damien Gaudin punches through the dust.

Gaudin later got clear with Reinardt Janse van Rensburg as the favourites closed in front behind.

Van Avermaet made several attacks on the pave.

He eventually got himself into a leading group of three with Yves Lampaert and John Degenkolb.

The trio got to Roubaix to contest the finish, where Degenkolb led out the sprint.

Despite sitting on the front for the last kilometre or so, Degenkolb was strong enough to win the sprint.

“I have been through a lot of things in the past, and it was such a hard time,” Degenkolb said. “I want to dedicate this victory to one of my best friends who passed away last winter. This was really something for him because I said no, I am not done. I have to make at least one really big victory for him. He was like my second father.”

Degenkolb hasn’t been at his best since being hit by a car and nearly losing a finger in early 2016. His win was a source of great relief and satisfaction.

Romain Bardet battled hard to limit his losses after a string of mechanicals.